Happy Casimir Pulaski Day!

Tomorrow is Casimir Pulaski Day!. Okay I know every single one of you is like who the eff is Casimir Pulaski?  So go here  to learn more about it. Anyways in honor of my old traditions from the home state, I made some delish Polish foods and threw a party in his honor. 

(Kolaczki's!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

(Pierogies!!!!!!!!!)))

So awesome times were had by all. And by all I mean me cause I may or or may not be drinking vodka right now. Who cares, it's Casimir Pulaski Day tomorrow and I don't have to work!!

In other exciting news in May I'll be going to visit this super awesome guy...

Before you get all awwwww he's super cute, please note that there is some bad blood between Z and I. See once upon a time in 1995, I had a mega crush on Z. Like gonna get married I know exactly what I want at 11 how could he be so stupid to not see the love laser beams between us kind of crush. Well turns out he was so stupid; he didn't want to be my boyfriend. I was crushed devastated beyond all hope....for like 2 days or something. I was 11 for Pete's sake. Still, every b-day I wish Z a "happy birthday love of my life who wouldn't go out with me in the 5th grade". It never gets old. At least for me. Point of the story being I'm going to go party with Z in Colorado in May and it's going to be awesomely good times. Probably better than the McDonalds/Library dates I had planned in 5th grade. He's going to read this now and at first be super embarrassed for himself and then for me for admitting McDonalds/Library dates. Whatever.

How was everyone elses weekends? Full of awesomeness I assume. Don't forget Casimir Pulaski tomorrow and try to eat something Polish!

Na zdrowie!

Marisa

Running Playlist and Why I Keep The Windows Up When I Sing In The Car

Just out of curiosity do any of you HAVE to have an iPod when you run or workout? I am like Pavlov's dog and cannot run without my iPod. I'm conditioned to run faster and farther with music. Most likely it's all in my head but I just find it easier to run while rocking the f out. So I thought I'd share with you my current top 10 running songs:

1.) Everything I Own (Vanessa Hudgens from the movie Bandslam)

2.) Born This Way (Lady Gaga.....duh)

3.) More (Usher)

4.) P.I.M.P (50 Cent)

5.) Waka Waka (Shakira)

6.) The Distance (Cake)

7.) Don't Stop Me Now (Queen)

8.) Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Jay-Z)

9.) Freak The Freak Out (Victoria Justice)

10.) Sugar In Your Gas Tank (Less Than Jake)

You are right now either 1.) Laughing 2.) Staring blankly at your monitor or C.) Breathing a sigh of relief that someone else listens to extremely random music like you. Trust me the rest of the playlist is just as crazy. Anyway on to a story that never dies and ties into my random love of gangster rap. 

Once upon a time when I was just a college junior who had not a care in the world, would drive around windows down singing loud and proud inviting everyone in cars around me to soak up my awesomeness. So one warm July day, I've got my windows down and I'm rapping my little Caucasian girl heart out when I stop at a red light. Now what I'm about to tell you is key: I was rapping Kanye West's "Gold Digger". Yeah Kanye. West. Gold. Digger. So here I am rapping in my car thinking I'm a baller when I look out my window and see this attractive African American guy laugh his ass off. At me. Not just at me but at me rapping. I would've given anything for non power windows that day because I promise you I would've had them cranked up in 5 seconds. I have never been so mortified in my life. This picture accurately describes how I felt:

(Holllaaaaa if you're a Wangsta like me)

And that friends is why I now never ever ever ever sing with my windows rolled down. I don't care if it's freaking something people would expect me to be singing in my car like, Jewel or Sarah McClaughlin (which might actually be just as embarrassing.....) the windows stay up. Anyone else have an embarrassing car singing story????

Gangsta Cheers,

Marisa

*Image via google

You Are What You Eat

My friend and and Maegan over at love Maegan brought on the inspiration for this post. I probably should have put this in my six confessions but I am a vegetarian. Have been for a few years now. Which obviously means I'm super healthy right? Well....almost. My Dad was a diabetic so we grew up with very very very little sugar in our diet, which explains why it's something I never crave. My Mom is also just a healthy person in general so we never ate anything like Hamburger Helper or frozen pizzas or Hot Pockets. (I lived for going to my friends houses for these.) Every meal was homemade no sugar added, no salt added and had to be eaten at the dinner table. (TV was not an option.) So I guess I have my parents to thank for preventing me from getting used to quick out of a box meals and sugary snacks. I also have been blessed with "good genes". Meaning my metabolism, apparently, is just naturally faster than most people. Obviously I've noticed it starting to slow in my old age ;) However, "diet" is not a word that has ever come into my life. I love being organized and planning everything to a fault but I've never been this way with food. I've tried a couple times keeping track of what I ate, but it became to tedious and at the end of the day I didn't really care. I don't set calorie goals because I don't like going "over" them and then feeling bad because I ate too much broccoli that day. That is ridiculous. I make healthy decisions and food is merely fuel for my body to do all the fun things in life I want to do, whether that is going for a long run or partying to the wee hours of the morning with my friends. 

As far as exercise goes I live for running. I always thought everyone was the same, and they experienced the amazing endorphin rush I get when I run, but apparently that is not so. If you're one of those people that is like wtf is this girl talking about? Let me explain. When I run after about the first mile, I get a rush of endorphins and it feels amazing: the runners high. Nothing hurts, nothing can stop me and most importantly nothing can bother me. For however long I am running I am completely free of everything that is bothering me or nagging me. I suppose once again I'm lucky; the one thing that brings me inner peace is also great exercise. Also runners get to eat a lot of carbs, and boy do I looooooveeeee carbs. 

So there you have it folks, my philosophy on diet and exercise. Which isn't much of a philosophy, more just do what works for you. I'll never be the girl who constantly denies herself foods that she wants; if I want to eat a bag of chips, you bet I'm eating a bag of chips. Even though I love running and would run everyday, I will also never be the girl to pass up spending time making memories with my friends for a workout. If I did where would you read about ridiculous antics of Midwestern girls?

Healthy Happy Cheers,

Marisa